Impact of COVID-19 on the well-being of children with epilepsy including nodding syndrome in Uganda: A qualitative study

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dc.contributor.authorNono, Denis
dc.contributor.authorGumisiriza, Nolbert
dc.contributor.authorTumwine, Christopher
dc.contributor.authorAmaral, Luis-Jorge
dc.contributor.authorAinamani, Herbert Elvis
dc.contributor.authorSeggane, Musisi
dc.contributor.authorColebunders, Robert
dc.date.accessioned2023-01-27T14:39:49Z
dc.date.available2023-01-27T14:39:49Z
dc.date.issued2023
dc.description.abstractTo investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions on the access and use of health services by children with epilepsy including nodding syndrome in Uganda. Methods: Four focus group discussions (FGD) with parents/caregivers of children with epilepsy and five in-depth interviews with key informants were conducted between April and May 2021 at Butabika National Mental Referral Hospital and Kitgum General Hospital. Results: COVID-19-related restrictions, including the halting of non-essential services and activities, and suspension of public transport, created several challenges not only for children with epilepsy and their parents/caregivers but also for their healthcare providers. Study participants described extreme transport restrictions that reduced their access to healthcare care services, increased food insecurity and shortage or inability to afford essential medicines as consequences of COVID-19-related restrictions. However, parents/ caregivers and healthcare workers adopted several coping strategies for these challenges. Parents/caregivers mentioned taking on casual work to earn an income to buy food, medicines, and other necessities. Healthcare workers intensified outreach services to affected communities. A positive impact of lockdown measures described by some FGD participants was that most family members stayed at home and were able to care for children with epilepsy in turn. Conclusions: Our study highlights the significant negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions on access to health services and the general well-being of children with epilepsy. Decentralized epilepsy treatment services and nutritional support could reduce the suffering of children with epilepsy and their families during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and similar future emergencies.en_US
dc.identifier.citationNono, D., Gumisiriza, N., Tumwine, C., Amaral, L. J., Ainamani, H. E., Musisi, S., & Colebunders, R. (2023). Impact of COVID-19 on the well-being of children with epilepsy including nodding syndrome in Uganda: A qualitative study. Epilepsy & Behavior, 138, 108992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108992en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108992
dc.identifier.urihttps://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/7329
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherEpilepsy & Behavioren_US
dc.subjectEpilepsyen_US
dc.subjectNodding syndromeen_US
dc.subjectCOVID-19en_US
dc.subjectWellbeingen_US
dc.subjectFocus group discussionsen_US
dc.titleImpact of COVID-19 on the well-being of children with epilepsy including nodding syndrome in Uganda: A qualitative studyen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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